Automanual resetting device



March 1931- A. L. RUTHVEN 1,798,558

AUTO MANUAL RESETTING' DEVICE Filed Jan. 17, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheei l HHIIH March 1931- A. RUTHV EN AUTO MANUAL RESETTING DEViCE Filed Jan. 17, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v llllllll March 31, 1931.

A. L RUTHVEN l lllll AUTO MANUAL RESETTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 17, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 y 15 g H Zl" zs Nil- Nil.

Patented -Mar. 31, 1931 UNETE STATES FICE AUTOMANUAL RESETTIN' G DEVICE Application filed January 1 7, 1930. Serial No. 421,570.

The present invention relates to automatic after the train has been slowed down, inv

order that the train or vehicle may proceed,

this application disclosing improvements over the devices disclosed in my copending applications Serial Nos. 274,274, 316,538 and 365,489, filed May 1, 1928, November 1, 1928, and May 23, 1929, respectively. It is an object of the invention to provide a resetting device which may be conveniently operated by the engineman without requiring him to leave his regular position, and which will not function unless the train or vehicle is at rest or is moving below a predetermined speed, so that the device cannotfunction while the train or vehicle is moving above said speed even though the engineman makes an efiort to reset the apparatus or prevent an automatic stop or reduction in speed, the device being improved in order that the resetting may be obtained either when the train or vehicle is not moving or when it is moving at a slow speed.

Another object is the provision of a novel circuit closer.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the device in normal position, portions being shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the device showing the parts in resetting position, portions being shown in elevation and portions broken away.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section showing the parts in tripped position, portions being shown in elevation and portions broken away.

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail on the line 4-4 of Fig.2. 7

tread 18 is curved about the axis-of the pivot Figs. 5 and Gare side elevations of modified forms of trip members.

Fig. 7 is an edge view of an offset trip member, showing portions of the device in section.

F ig. 8 is a face view of the trip member shown in Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a face view of said trip member in tripped position.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the device comprises a cylinder or casing 1 preferably disposed in a vertical position, and having the upper head 2 provided with an inlet 3 through which compressed air or other pressure fluid is supplied into the cylinder, the

flow of pressure fluid into and out of the cylinder being controlled by a suitable valve (not shown) within reach of the engineman.

A main piston 9 is slidable in the cylinder and is normally raised by a spring 10. i The piston 9 has a cylinder chamber 11 in which a secondary piston 12 is movable.

The secondary piston has a downwardly extending tubular stem 13, the passage of which extends through the piston 12.- The stem 13 is slidable through abushing 14 secured in the lower end of the cylinder 1, and a trip member 15 is pivoted, as at 16, within the lower bifurcated end of the stem 13 and is movable partially into the bushing 14.

The trip member 15 has a segment 17 with an inset tread 18 ofcopper or other suitable friction material to contact with an axle 19 of the vehicle or other rotary member. The

16 as a center, so that the trip member may have a rolling action on the axle or member 19.

The cylinder 1 has a depending apron 1 at its lower end surrounding the bushing 14 and member 15 so that water running down the cylinder will drip from the apron 1', thereby protecting the parts which slide in the bushing.

A pressure member 20 is slidable in the stem 13 to bear against a fiat surface 21 of the member 15, in order to yieldingly maintain said trip member 15in alinement or straightenedout position with reference to the stem 13, a spring 22 being confined between said member 20 and an adjusting plug 23 screw-threaded in said stem. A second plug 24 is preferably threaded in said stem to jamb against the plug 23 for preventing accidental loosening thereof.

The pressure member 20 has shoulders 25 to contact with said shoulders 26 of the stem.

- cured in the bushing 14 and engage in grooves or key-ways 29 in the stem 13, thereby preventing said stem from rotating.

A pipe 32 connects a switch or circuit closer 33 with a port 34 in the wall of the cylinder 1. The piston 9 has a circumferential groove 35' which registers with the passage 34 when the piston 9 is moved downwardly to the limit to resetting position, with the lower end of the piston seating against the bushing 14 or surrounding portion of the cylinder 1. Said-piston 9 has a port 35 leading inwardly from the groove 35 to register with a circumferential groove 36 with which the piston 12 is provided, and said piston 12 has a port 36 extending from the groove 36 to the passage of the piston 12 and stem 13.

The roove 36 is'so arran ed as to re istert3 O b with the port 35 when the piston 9 has been moved downwardly the full limit, and when the piston 12 has been moved downwardly and is stopped in resetting position by the abutment of the trip-member 15 against the axle 18 or other member, as seen in Fig. 2. This will permit the pressure fluid to flow from the cylinder 1 above the piston 9 through the port 26, groove 36', port 35 and passage 34 into the piston unit 33.

The piston 9 has a stop 9 to limit the upward movement therein of the piston 12;

The switch 33 comprises a base 37 to which the pipe 32 is connected, and a removable hood 38 secured on said base and adapted to be removed for access tothe parts normally covered by said hood.

A plate 39' is secured on the base 37, and a diaphragm 41 is'clamped between said plate and base, said base having a restricted vent aperture so that a slight leakage of air into the switch unit will not raise the diaphragm, inasmuch as the air may escape through said aperture.

The wires 42 of the resetting, restoring or clearing circuit pass. through a boss43 de-.

pending from the base 37 and are connected to oppositeelectrodes or contacts of a, mercury tube 44 which is secured on a lever 46 hingedly mounted, as at 45, on the plate 39. Said lever is'connected bya link; 47 with a plunger 48 resting on the diaphragm, and said plunger and diaph agm are: norm l y de;

pressed by a spring 49, so that the mercury tube 44 is inclined, as seen in Fig.1, to remove the mercury or other electrical conducting liquid from one of the electrodes or contacts for opening the circuit.

In operation, the engineman, in order to reset the control apparatus by closing a circuit controlled by the switch 33, opens a valve within convenient reach, so as to admit pressure fluid into the cylinder 1. The piston 9 is therefore moved downwardly against the pressure of the spring 10, and the pressure fluid will'also move the piston 12 downwardly, thereby. projecting the trip member 15.

If the axle 19 or other part against which the trip member is moved, is stationary with reference to the cylinder 1, the piston 12 will be arrested in its movement to bring the groove 36 in the plane of the passage or port 34, and the piston 9 will continue its movement until stopped by contact with the bushing 14 or lower end portion of the cylinder 1, thereby bringing the port 35 in registration with the-groove 36 and the groove 35' in registration withthe passage 34, so that, the pressure fluid will flow into the passage 34 and pipe 32. This will raise the diaphragm 41 and plunger 48 so as to bring the mercury tube 44 to a horizontal position, as seen in Fig. 2, so that the mercury will close the circuit betweentheelectrodes or contacts.

In the event that the aXle 18 or other part is moving with reference to the cylinder 1 whenthe pressure fluid is admitted into "the cylinder, the member 15: will be tripped after having a rolling contact with the member or part 18, as seenin Fig. 3. This permits the piston 12 tomove downwardly further so that the groove 36 does not register with the port 35, and consequently pressure fluid will not be delivered through the pipe 32 to the switch unit 33, and the resetting circuit is not closed.

By the provision of the curved tread ofthe trip member, the resetting may be accomplished without requiring the vehicle to come to a stop. Thus, after the tread 18 of the trip member comes into contact with the axle or member 19, the trip member has a rolling motion before reaching tripping position. This. provides an interval of time between the admission of pressure fluid into the cylinder 1 and the tripping action, so that the piston 12 is maintained in its intermediate position, as seen in Fig. 2, for a slight interval of time depending on the speed ofthe vehicle. If the piston 9 moves downwardly to its lowermost position, as seen in Fig. 2, before the tread 18 of the trip member moves off the axle or member 19, the switch 33 will be operated to close the resetting-circuit. The pistons 9 and12 are moved downwardly at a predetermined speed, dependin on the pressure of the fluid, so that by ma ring the tread 18 of suitable length, in proportion to the fluid pressure, it is possible to operate the switch 33 while the vehicle is moving slowly, the

trip member being turned sufiiciently slowly so as not to be tripped before the piston 9 reaches its lowermost position. However, if

the vehicle is moving above a predetermined speed, the trip member will be turned to tripping position before the piston 9 reaches its lowermost position, and the resetting action of the switch is not obtained. The time interval is determined by the fluid pressure and the arcuate length of the tread 18 from the intermediate point to the ends thereof (distance of movement), so that it is readily possible to determine the maximum speed of the vehicle below which the device will operate to reset the train control equipment.

Fig. shows a trip member a with a sector 17a which provides greater clearance between the sector and the cylinder or casing 1 when the trip member is tripped.

Fig. 6 illustrates a trip member 15?) with a segment 17?) on one side only, so that said member would be tripped quickly when swung in one direction but would be tripped with delayed action when turned in the opposite direction. This would provide for different resetting conditions when the vehicleis moving either forwardly or backwardly.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate the segment 17 0 oifset to one side of the cylinder or casing and carried by a post or support 15% secured to the trip member 150. The segment 17 0 has a friction tread 180. With this arrangement a segment of larger size may be used which may move across one side of the cylinder or casing.

The mercury tube 44 may be substituted by any other suitable switch or circuit closing means. The hood 38 protects the parts of the switch, and may be conveniently removed for access thereto. The aperture permits pressure fluid which may leak through the pipe 32 to escape without closing the switch, but will not prevent the full flow of pressure fluid through the pipe 32 from raising the diaphragm, said aperture being of much smaller size than the passage through the pipe 82.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A resetting device comprising a movable member, a trip member connected movably thereto and arranged to contact with a relatively movable part so as to detain said movable member in resetting position for a predetermined relative distance of movement of said part with reference to said movable member and to then move to tripping position and release said movable member for movement beyond resetting position, and resetting effecting means operable after a pre determined interval of time if said movable member is in resetting position.

2. A resetting device comprising a movable member movable to and beyond a resetting position, a trip member pivoted to said movable member and arranged to contact with a relatively movable part and detain said movable member in resetting position for a predetermined relative distance of movement of said part with respect to said movable member and to then move to tripping position and release said movablememher for movement beyond resetting position, and resetting effecting means operable after a predetermined interval of time if said movable member is in resetting position.

3. A resetting device comprising a movable member movable to and beyond a resetting position, a trip member pivoted to said movable member and havinga tread portion curved about the pivot and adapted to contact with a relatively movable part for cletaining said movable member in resetting position for a predetermined relative distance of movement of said part with reference to said movable memberand to then move to tripping position and release said movable member for movement beyond resetting position, and resetting effecting means operable'after a predetermined interval of time if said movable member is in resetting position.

4. A resetting device comprising tWo movable members movable to a resetting position in succession with a predetermined time interval, one of said members being movable beyond its resetting position, and means for detaining said member in resetting position for a predetermined distance of movement of another part with reference to said members.

5. A resetting device comprising two movable members movable in succession to a resetting position with a predetermined time interval, one of said members being movable beyond its resetting position, resetting elfecting means operable when said members are both in resetting position, and means for delaying said member in its resetting position for a predetermined distance of movement of a vehicle.

6. A resetting device comprising two movable members movable in succession to a resetting position with a predetermined time interval, one of said members being movable beyond its resetting position, resetting efi'ecting means operable when said members are both in resetting position, and a trip member connected to the aforesaid member and adapted to contact with a relatively movable part and arranged to detain said movable member in its resetting position for a predetermined relative distance of movement of said part with reference to said movable members and to then move to tripping position and release said movable member for movement beyond its resetting position.

7 A resetting device comprising two movable members movable in succession to a resetting position withia predetermined time interval, one of said members being movable beyond its resetting position, resetting effecting means operable when said members are both in resettingposition, and a trip member pivoted to said movable member and having a tread curved about the pivot and adapted to contact with arelatively movable part for w detaining said movable member in resetting position for a predetermined relative distance of movement of said part with reference to said movable members and to then move to tripping position and release said movable member for movement beyond resetting position.

8. A resetting device comprising a movable member movable to and beyond a resetting position, means for detaining said mem- 3. ber'in resetting position for a predetermined distance of movement of a vehicle, and'resetting efiecting means operable after a predetermined interval of time providing said member is in resetting position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

ALFRED L. RUTHVEN. 

